WHO unveils research roadmap on climate, health and migration for Western Pacific

The World Health Organization (WHO) launched a new Regional research agenda on health, migration and displacement in the WHO Western Pacific Region, with a focus on climate change, according to a press release issued on 14 July 2026. The launch convened experts from WHO, United Nations agencies, academia, civil society organizations and migrant youth networks. Discussions centered on how stronger evidence can support more inclusive, resilient and climate-responsive health systems. The agenda establishes research priorities for the next five years. It seeks to close evidence gaps that constrain effective and equitable responses.

The Western Pacific Region is home to a large and growing migrant population. Migration and displacement influence the social determinants of health, access to health services and overall well-being. These challenges are exacerbated by climate change.

“Migration, displacement and climate change are increasingly shaping health outcomes across the Western Pacific Region. Yet important evidence gaps continue to limit our ability to design effective and equitable responses,” said Dr Santino Severoni, Head of WHO Health and Migration.

The agenda was developed through a multistage process involving 108 participants from across the Pacific and Asian subregions. Research themes include inclusive universal health coverage (UHC) and primary health care, and the inclusion of migrants and displaced populations in health emergency preparedness and response. It also covers multisectoral research on the social, economic, environmental and structural determinants of health. A further theme addresses health, migration and displacement in the context of climate change. Two cross-cutting priorities focus on under-researched populations and equitable research partnerships.

Panelists highlighted the need for stronger governance, sustainable financing, migration-sensitive data systems, and closer collaboration among researchers, policymakers and affected communities. Speakers stressed addressing migration, displacement and climate change through a broader health equity lens. The panel emphasized moving beyond documenting challenges toward identifying, testing and scaling solutions. “Climate change, migration, displacement and health can no longer be considered separate issues,” said Dr Sandro Demaio, Director and Head of Office of the WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health. He added that the agenda offers a foundation for generating evidence to inform equitable and effective responses.

To support implementation, the agenda includes dedicated roadmaps for the Pacific and Asia subregions. Priority action areas include strengthening research governance, leadership and stewardship, and improving migration-sensitive data systems and knowledge exchange. Other areas focus on securing sustainable and flexible funding and translating research into policy and practice. Building research capacity and strengthening intersectoral collaboration, including the integration of indigenous and traditional knowledge, are also prioritized. By fostering regional collaboration, health systems may become more inclusive, resilient and climate-responsive, ensuring migrant and displaced populations are not left behind.